Damage to Malahini

[Hercdrvr]

My ego wanted to quietly sweep this under the rug but I want other builders to learn from my mistake.
I forgot to stow the ladder and it tore from the transom when power was applied. The ladder was not a short hinged ladder, but a long fixed dive style ladder. The force of the water combined with the long lever of the ladder tore the mounting bolts threw the transom, washer too. Splitting and splintering the plywood.
Damage was above the water line so boat did not take on water.
I cut out the damage and repaired area with a 3/4" plywood butt block on the inside, patch, fiberglass, sealed with epoxy, filler, sanding, etc .... paint. Good as new.

Lessons learned:
1. Ladder will get forgotten
2. Don't attach a 4 ft lever to a 4 inch bracket and submit it to the power of rushing water.

Another Good lesson in humility and complacency.
Matt B

[Hercdrvr]

After the repair pictures and new ladder/swim platform.

now we can leave the ladder down and it just flops on the water back there.

Matt B

[WayWard]

Oof

Glad it wasn't more severe. I'll file that away in lessons learned....

[Hercdrvr]

I can't say for sure if it was the force of the water or the ladder hitting an obstacle that did the damage. My guess is water pressure did the job. We were in a calm cove, about 6-8 ft of water and the ladder was a 4 step ladder, pretty long. I wasn't driving (no excuse, captain's responsibility no matter what seat he/she is in) so I didn't feel extra drag when adding throttle.

Matt B

[BayouBengal]

Top notch repair job. Looks as good as new.

[speedracer]

Bayou Bengal - Sorry that happened but as previously noted, a great repair job. I like that ladder and want something similar for my Monaco. Can you tell me where you purchased it and the details?

[BayouBengal]

Not my boat, Speedracer. It's Matt's (Hercdver) boat.

[Hercdrvr]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/172598397309?_mwBanner=1

$150 on eBay

Matt B

[vupilot]

Well thats a major bummer! I think you handled that a lot better than I would have. Nice job on the speedy repair.

[Bill Edmundson]

You may need my tagline!

Bill

[Hercdrvr]

Bill,
What is your "Tagline"?
Matt B

[Roberta]

That looks like a better idea with the auto fold. Love the colors on the hull. Really looks sharp.

Roberta

[zip001]

Sorry to hear about this Matt. Your boat and your work is awesome. You certainly did a great job on the repair and gave me a better idea for the ladder. I appreciate you sharing this, we all learned from this.

[PeterG]

Wow, lucky you didn't lose you entire boat! Your repair work looks great, nice recovery. And yes, thanks for sharing a hard lesson that we will all learn from.

[Bill Edmundson]

Matt

There can be no miracle recoveries without first screwing up.

Bill